🏀 Rockets vs. Lakers Player Props Today: NBA Picks & Best Bets (April 18)
The shorthanded Los Angeles Lakers will host the Houston Rockets in Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on ABC.
The Lakers being without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves took a bit of suspense out of this series, which is why the Rockets are 5.5-point road favorites. However, at least we can make the most out of one last LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant playoff showdown in my Rockets vs. Lakers player props today as part of Saturday's NBA picks and best bets.
Our C Jackson Cowart also broke down this matchup in his Rockets vs. Lakers series prediction & best bets to advance in Round 1.
🏀 Best Rockets vs. Lakers player props today: NBA picks for April 18
See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.
| Player | Prop bet | Units | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James, F, Lakers | Over 0.5 blocks (-110 via BetMGM) | 1u -> 0.91u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Amen Thompson, G, Rockets | Over 25.5 points + rebounds (-120 via bet365) | 1u -> 0.83u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LeBron James, F, Lakers | Over 1.5 1Q rebounds (-130 via bet365) | 0.5u -> 0.39u | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Total wagered: 2.5 units | Max profit: 2.13 units
💰 Best Rockets vs. Lakers prop bet
LeBron James Over 0.5 blocks (-110)
Even at 41 years old, LeBron James is being asked to do it all for the Lakers in the postseason. His job is to turn back the clock and extend this series long enough for Luka Doncic to return from injury.
I don't know if James can do it, but I do suspect he's going to give it everything he's got on both ends. And one of my favorite ways to bet on him is his defensive impact. James swatted nine shots in the first four games of last year's Round 1 series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He recorded seven blocks in the 2023-24 postseason.
Across the past two playoff runs, James has recorded at least one block in nine of his 11 outings. The -110 odds at BetMGM are a bargain, especially compared to FanDuel's -136 odds.
🔥 More Rockets vs. Lakers prop picks
Amen Thompson Over 25.5 points + rebounds (-120)
I expect Amen Thompson to be much improved in his second postseason, especially in this matchup where the Lakers will struggle with his athleticism.
In three head-to-head meetings this season, Thompson proved to be too much for the Lakers. He averaged 23.7 points and 10 rebounds per game, clearing this combo line in all three matchups. The closing line for this prop was as high as 26.5 in the contest on March 16, which highlights the discount that bet365 is offering to bettors for Saturday's Game 1.
Thompson appears to be rounding into form at the right time, averaging 20.7 points and 8.3 rebounds across his past 23 contests.
LeBron James Over 1.5 first-quarter rebounds (-130)
James stressed the importance of rebounding when asked what the key to this series is. After all, the Rockets led the NBA with 15 offensive rebounds per game this year. They led in rebound rate as well.
I wouldn't be surprised at all to see James set the tone in the first quarter, especially since he will likely see a bump in playing time during the postseason. Across the last two playoff runs, James has recorded multiple rebounds in the opening period in seven of his 11 games. He's averaged 9.5 first-quarter minutes over that span, which is more than a minute higher than his regular-season average.
This is only a half-unit play, but it's worth noting that DraftKings is charging -162 for the same ticket.
🚀 Rockets vs. Lakers same-game parlay
In addition to my favorite player props on Thompson and James, I'm targeting the Rockets' moneyline for this SGP. I have a hard time seeing how the Lakers keep things interesting, given how shorthanded they are, so don't be surprised if the Rockets roll on Saturday.
💵 Rockets vs. Lakers SGP picks
- Amen Thompson Over 25.5 points + rebounds (-125)
- LeBron James Over 0.5 blocks (-110)
- Rockets ML (-220)
Best odds: +350 via bet365 (0.1u -> 0.35u)
💵 My betting record for NBA picks
All NBA picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 28.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5-14 | -3.92 units ❌ | -29.1% ❌ |
| Player props | 4-8 | -2.65 units ❌ | -22.3% ❌ |
| Parlays | 1-5 | -0.27 units ❌ | -45.3% ❌ |
💡 How I'm betting Rockets vs. Lakers
Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.
I'm backing two of my favorite players in this Rockets vs. Lakers series, even if there is an 18-year age gap between James and Thompson.
It's not fair that James is in this position, but the Lakers have to feel better that he's looked his best since they lost Doncic and Reaves.
Most of all, this is just a great matchup for Thompson, as he's demonstrated all year.
Hopefully, I've found a few different angles worth exploring early in this series before the sportsbooks adjust.
🚑 Rockets vs. Lakers injuries
📺 How to watch Rockets vs. Lakers
- Date: Saturday, April 18
- Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
- TV: ABC
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